Building nuclear plants to get harder

Fears following Japan’s nuclear crisis will make it more difficult for U.S. power companies to finance construction of new nuclear reactors, The Wall Street Journal reports. Getting permits and loan guarantees from the government is already hard, but the process is expected to get even more complicated. Companies planning nuclear projects can expect higher financing costs and less political support for government loan guarantees, nuclear experts said. In a note to investors last week, Standard & Poor's said events in Japan renewed fears regarding nuclear power risks. Ameren is pushing for legislation in Missouri that would help it pay for the site permit for a new nuclear plant next to its existing one in Callaway County.